Comoros

Exercise increased caution in The Union of the Comoros due to the upcoming presidential election.

Exercise increased caution in The Union of the Comoros due to the upcoming presidential election.

Comoros will hold elections on March 24, 2019, and April 21, 2019, if a run-off election is warranted. Travel within Comoros may be disrupted during these times by roadblocks and political demonstrations. From March 21-March 26, U.S. government personnel will be permitted to travel to the islands of Anjouan and Moheli for pre-approved official purposes only.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Union of the Comoros.

Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence and heavy fines. You may be fined or possibly imprisoned for public intoxication. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Photography: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other key infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, and risk detention and arrest. Do not take photos of Comorians without permission.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information. The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar provides consular assistance; there is no full-time official U.S. presence in Comoros.

Clothing: Comorians dress conservatively. Shorts or short sleeves should be avoided, except at the beach.

Phone Service: Cellular phones are the norm, as other telephone service is unreliable and landlines are nearly non-existent. It may be possible to purchase a SIM card locally and use a GSM-compatible cell phone. Cellular data packages, at 2G or 3G speeds, are also available for purchase.

Currency: The Comorian Franc (KMF) is the official currency. This is a cash society; credit cards are not widely accepted. There are three banks on the island to exchange currency.

Utilities Outages:

The supply of electricity is frequently disrupted, sometimes for extended periods.

Water supplies can fluctuate (including potable water), affecting tourist and other public services.

Faith-Based Travelers: Reports of religious-based violence are rare. Proselytizing or the public practice of non-Sunni Muslim religious ceremonies is against the law in the Comoros. See our following webpages for details:

LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in the Union of the Comoros and are punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 2,300 USD. Seeour LGBTI Travel Informationpage and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Persons with disabilities face limited access to transportation, communication, accommodations, and public buildings. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and most buildings lack functioning elevators.

Women Travelers: Sexual harassment is illegal and punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Such harassment is a common problem, and the government does not effectively enforce penalties against it. Rape is illegal and punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years or up to 15 years if the victim is younger than 15 years of age. The government enforces the laws on rape with some effectiveness if survivors pursue charges.

Road Conditions and Safety: Some urban roads are paved, but most, including rural roads, are not and are poorly maintained. Roads are very narrow, poorly lit, full of potholes, and have dangerous curves. Do not drive more than 30 miles an hour. Pedestrians and drivers should exercise extreme caution after dark. Professional roadside assistance service is not available.

Traffic Laws: You will need an international driving permit to drive in Comoros.Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts.

Public Transportation: Taxi or a rental car with driver are preferable to public transportation.

Aviation Safety Oversight:As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Comoros, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Comoros’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Travel between the islands by boat is common but is poorly regulated. Boats may be overcrowded and lack safety equipment resulting is capsized vessels and fatalities. Death by drowning is common. Use only commercially licensed ferry services which are equipped with adequate safety devices, and ship-to-shore communications.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.